Howie58

Well, now we have to deal with the here and now...Mason + Whomever. We don't know what cost us Bernier..or what it didn't cost. And if we gave up one of our youngsters we'd be hearing about how we sacrifice youth. The sad reality is that we didn't have a good backup to offer...and that is apparently what LA wanted. So, let's spend our time wondering if Bryz is cut (and I think that happens), or if we are stuck with the dude for another year? I don't see him around after that. If you read the New York Post, their hockey analyst wrote an absolutely scathing piece on the Flyers with regard to Streit. He wondered how the Flyers could get the guy with so many defensive liabilities....and a second-tier d. This guy knows of what he speaks in terms of Islander coverage. So let's hope we actually avoided a mistake...because so far this offseason I don't see much room for hope from Homer. Best, Howie

Howdy: You've given me a great end of the day laugh. But the truth is sad.... Best, Howie

Greetings: I could live with Smith or Emery. Both would be relatively low-cost, low-risk takes. Emery was respected here. Smith is streaky but I suspect JR would work with him and he has some good experience. This thread underscores a longstanding theme on the board--our organization's inability to bring up good goalies. Gosh darn it...wouldn't it be nice to say, "Mr So and So had a good year in Adirondack and is ready for a look-and-see." Other than Stolarz...who the heck is down there...and could we call them up, even for an injury fill in? Peace, Howie

Bryz's for Kate Smith statue. Howie

Today's Inquirer has an article on how Bryz's agent is spinning his mediocre play as a function of blocking shot style defense blinds goalies plus bad media coverage. Screw him. Best, Howie

I think Hoffmann, Seravalli, and Carchidi are becoming increasingly vocal about the impatience and poor development. Holmgren and Snider must not care...or Comcast has yet to flex its muscle. Best, Howie

I agree that he is not "so bad." But this deal is part of a larger frame/mindset that seems to go like this: "Don't show much patience with good young players." Don't accept a reality that two or three consecutive sub-par seasons might yield a core that goes to the Cup. And for G_d's sake, don't develop D or G; just work on forwards and we will trade for those positions...generally receiving players past their prime...and pay a sh...tload for them." In other words...what you say is true--Streit isn't so bad. But this deal seems to be part-and-parcel of GM who is more opportunist than strategist. Best, Howie

If Streit is at the 4 mill+ range, Coburn would be there too. I frankly think Mesz will not suit up again and suspect that's part of why we going for Streit. Best, Howie

Howdy: Some of these exchanges are a bit like the BS on Philly.com. That may be a "good" thing given the passion some have for the team. Some may reflect a genuine feeling this trade borders on desperation. Really. If this guy gets more than 4.5 mil a year either Homer has lost it or the command staff smells no Mes + Kimmo Decline + "Other" that mean a pseudo AHL D. It is just sad. I would rather have a lousy year and get some good drafts than pay through the nose for this dude. Best, Howie

Greetings: I think there is agreement the deal is probably a stop-gap. I doubt Mesz is back. Maybe Homer sees Grossmann as another injury-prone player. Draft and salary dump will allow for a gradual rebuild of the D. Right now, he may be heading into a season where he worries if Gervais, MAB (maybe) and the others he has picked up Huskins/Foster, are just not there or worth keeping, while Timmo declines...it ain't pretty. Streit at 5 million would be a waste in my view...but maybe Homer thinks he can be had for less. The whole deal underscores what we have said on this board for ages...the organization breeds forwards...other positions get no attention or poor development. Howie

Another point... This may be a sign that Mesznaros' is a goner. That may add to desperation. But I still wouldn't go for him. Howie

Greetings: I just don't get it. He is not that great a player. We have plenty of 1A and 2 dmen. It is the type of dealing that leads me to think that now more than ever, we need to say auf wiedersehen to Homer. Best, Howie

I hope we don't have to wait for Snider's demise before team architecture is put in different hands. Best, Howie

It is sad to think we have to wait for someone's demise to make this work. The other "hope" is that Comcast takes away Spectacor's autonomy if it sees the investment going downhill. But that may not happen as long as bodies show up (not like my backyard Panthers). My short-term fear is that Lavy and/or Homer are given the boot early next year. Then there will be chaos. Best, Howie

I think the Carter-Richards trade is not the biggie. It is seeing tons of friends former Flyers in the playoffs. It is thinking about Chiarelli's work in Boston or Bowman's work in Chicago that makes me wonder about Homer as strategist rather than opportunist. Best,Howie

Occam: Good talking on hear from you. I hope you are right. Best, Howie

I have to agree with CTID a bit...this does smack of inbreeding. I like the guy but it is part of our family approach that may go too far. Best, Howie

Greetings: Other than an experienced goalie to complement Mason, I would really like to see this franchise avoid 30+ players for the next few years. I would like to see youngsters grown from within. I also agree with others this guy may have some issues. It is in part tragic but that is what it is. Best, Howie

I don't want any older players. Let's grow some youngins together. Best, Howie

This is a great post; thanks for the thread. The comments are intelligent too--it's hard to imagine Bryz around for another year and Mason's comments about fighting for number 1 didn't strike me as something coming from a guy told up front he was a backup. Trying to size things up, I'd say it portrays a group where the sum of the parts performs as less than a whole. Individually there is talent; collectively things aren't so great. Buyouts aside, we have to ponder who goes from the forward slot to make for player/cap space. And I really wonder if Mez will ever play again. The same for MAB. We may have more cap space than we think. Now we have to hope that Homer and Company will put it to good use. Best, Howie

Greetings: I found this on a website with TV themes. This used to be played before games; Parent and his orange mask were among the images. For those who remember the Cup years, this theme accompanied some great moments. http://www.televisiontunes.com/NBC_-_NHL_Game_of_the_Week_-_1973.html I hope this helps to overcome the depression of seeing so many of your former players in "The Final Four!" Best, Howie

Greetings: I wonder if they would go after his former teammate Stephen Weiss? Up until this past year he has been physically durable and a steady performer for a generally miserable franchise. We always like centers, right? Best, Howie

Greetings: The article was indeed a tough read. But even if the dude is right--that we value forwards and "best available" rather than D, it still begs the question of why we really fail to nurture a lot of young players, period? I look at Chicago and see a team that has held a cadre together since the 2010 SC. We are the cast of thousands, cruddy D or not. Best, Howie

Brelic: This is a painful but accurate read. I suspect change will only come when Snider is out of the picture or Comcast sees its investment going South and decides to intervene. There is management inbreeding and hearkening back to the Cup years. Peace, Howie

Great post. The articles by Seravali and Carchidi the last few days confirm what you say. They also confirm what many here have felt for years--this organization is "forward-centric" and seems incapable of drafting and developing Goal/D. I suspect this gang thinks they can recreate a Clarke..or a Premeau..and the Cup will land on their heads. Seravali's write-up on the D was scathing. Today's piece by Carchidi shows the number of those we traded versus those we traded for. It's interesting...we would have been better to keep in most instances...or at least, something about playing elsewhere makes for better play. Eminger's plus minus is better than anybody we have. Heck...even Seidenberg looks good. Peace, Howie